Did Jaylen Warren make the right move signing an extension with the Steelers now?
The Steelers announced they have signed Jaylen Warren to a two-year extension, but is that the right move for him? Going into his fourth NFL season, he would have been hitting free agency next year. This year, the team showed its willingness to pay him over $5 million on a restricted tender. In terms of new money, he didn’t see much more than that on this contract.
This offseason, the Steelers moved on from Najee Harris, their primary ball carrier of the past four years. While that set the table for Jaylen Warren to start, they also drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round. Heading into the season, we don’t know what the distribution will look like. Not at the start of the year, not how it will end up.
The latter in particular is an important question in ascertaining whether Warren made a shrewd move. If Johnson quickly passes him, or if he continues last year’s regression, then he may have done himself a favor by locking himself in for two more years. Although those years are not fully guaranteed, the Steelers are more likely to honor it.
On the other hand, now that he has the opportunity to be a full-time starter, Jaylen Warren could seriously increase his price tag. Already making over $5 million this season, his new money average on the two additional years comes in at just under $6 million. And while there is a much higher reported guarantee figure, know that the additional guarantees are for injury only. In other words, as long as he doesn’t get hurt, the Steelers can cut him with no additional cap hit.
Although Warren saw a small bump in pay this year, this is more about the Steelers locking him in. They now have, basically, two option years at roughly the same value they had already signed him for. If he improves, they have a bargain. If he fades, they can get out from under the contract. But if he just continues being Jaylen Warren, it may just work out for both sides evenly. And with Johnson on a rookie contract, I don’t see them cutting Warren anyway.
After another disappointing season and months of retooling, the Steelers are set to try it all again in 2025. Though they limped into the playoffs, they once again embarrassed themselves therein.
Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is the quarterback question. They settled in on Aaron Rodgers, but we still have a lot to learn about him. The 2025 NFL Draft class could play a big role, but veteran additions like Jalen Ramsey will be paramount.
Now we are heading into the regular season. From Rodgers to George Pickens to Minkah Fitzpatrick and Ramsey, we’ve seen the Steelers make some big changes. Now it’s about evaluating the roster in place and figuring out how it all works out.
